PM urges stronger development of sea-based economy

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked relevant ministries, sectors and localities to further promote marine potential and advantages, overcome shortcomings and adopt timely measures to turn Vietnam into a rich and strong country based on its maritime economy.

PM Phuc made the request while chairing a meeting on Vietnam’s Maritime Strategy in Hanoi on August 16, with the attendance of leaders from relevant ministries, sectors and coastal provinces and cities.

A report presented by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha and ideas put forth by participants showed that after years of implementing the maritime strategy, the sea-born economy has witnessed comprehensive development, while the living conditions of residents in coastal areas have been improved.

Economic sectors such as tourism, aquaculture, fishing, seafood processing and marine shipping have enjoyed remarkable growth. Due attention has been paid to environmental protection.

However, the country is facing a range of difficulties and challenges, especially those related to human resources, science-technology, integrated sea management and coordination mechanism among ministries, sectors, localities and forces at sea.

Participants emphasized the need to step up the synchronous implementation of the maritime strategy as the sea-based economy plays an important role in the development of the whole country as well as 28 coastal provinces and cities.

In 2007, the 10th Party Central Committee adopted Vietnam’s Maritime Strategy towards 2020 to further enhance a sea-based economy and protect national sovereignty over islands and seas.

The strategy set out a goal that sea-based economic sectors will make up 53-55 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) while per capita income in coastal areas is expected to double the average of the whole country by 2020.-VNA